Pleeeeeeeeeeeeze, Read Me!
While this is not our usual format, we just had to share this because it is so simple and can keep you healthier throughout your ENTIRE life. If you have questions, text or email us.
Most of us are talking about stress and how stressed we are. Last week we looked at distress and eustress and the differences between them. When we are under chronic stress, we all know how we feel … Exhausted!
If you really want to help your body stay healthy, while experiencing chronic stress, Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze read more.
When silver is exposed to oxygen, it creates tarnish. I am sure you have seen it with your jewelry or on silver pieces that you, your mother or grandmother might have. This reaction with oxygen is known as an oxidation-reduction reaction. If the tarnish is not removed, it eats through the silver and destroys the jewelry or the silver pieces.
Another example of an oxidation-reduction reaction is rust and we all know what happens to metal if rust is not removed.
When the cells in our body are exposed to oxygen, it creates free radicals. Unfortunately, we can’t see it but if we could, we would realize how these free radicals destroy our cells. This is also an oxidation-reduction reaction.
When silver tarnishes, the solution is to polish it and remove the tarnish and possible wrap the silver is an air-tight container that limits exposure to oxygen.
When metal rusts, we sand it and reseal it.
Unfortunately, we don’t have a polish or sanding equipment for the free radicals in our body but we do have something that works just as good, … ANTIOXIDANTS! An anti (meaning against) oxidant (reactive molecules that react with our proteins, DNA and fats) helps to protect our cells from damage which contributes to such diseases as cancers, heart disease and aging to name a few.
If you really want to reduce your risk of disease then, it is simple.
EAT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES!
This is where so many of the antioxidants are. Can you buy them in a bottle? I wouldn’t and here is why. The supplements in the United States are not regulated, meaning, no one is over-seeing this industry. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has stated certain claims that can and cannot be used but it is anyone’s guess what is in that bottle that you just paid lots of money for.
And, speaking of money, eating five servings of fruits and vegetables daily is a whole lot less expensive than buying bottles and bars.
Here is what five servings looks like but each of us will come up with a different combination.
1 banana = 2 fruits
2 cups salad = 2 vegetables
½ cup spaghetti sauce = 1 vegetable.
There you have it … 5 servings of fruits and vegetables.
IT REALLY ISN’T DIFFICULT OR EXPENSIVE!
Again, if you have questions or comments, please contact us.
Key Takeaways
Chronic stress can be a killer over time.
Antioxidants are a life saver.
It is as easy as 5 a day.
Best Practices
Learn what a serving size is for fruits and vegetables.
Visit www.myplate.gov.
Plan what you want to eat for the week and go grocery shopping.
Things to Limit
Going days without eating fruits and vegetables.
Thinking what you do and don’t eat doesn’t matter to your health.
Ignoring your health.
Quote of the Week
"The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will instruct his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet, and the cause and prevention of disease."
~ Thomas A. Edison
Antioxidants are important to our health and can help reduce the damage to our cells caused by free radicals. But, if the antioxidants are not in our body then they can’t help us stay disease free.
Be well,
The paraDocs
Photo George Bakos on unsplash
Check our Welcome Greeting on YouTube
The paraDocs are Dr. Francis L. Battisti, PhD, Psychotherapist, Distinguished Psychology Professor and former Executive V.P and Chief Academic Officer and Dr. Helen E. Battisti PhD, RDN, CDN, Chief Nutrition Officer, at SpNOD, Health Promotion Specialist, Research and Clinical Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and former Assistant Professor.
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